V. I.. From rich domains and fubject farms, Where, long foretold, The People reigns: And judgeth what he fees; and, as he judgeth, wills. V. 2. Here be it thine to calm and guide The fwelling democratic tide; To watch the state's uncertain frame, And baffle faction's partial aim: To quell that fervile band, who kneel To freedom's banish'd foes; That monfter, which is daily found Expert and bold thy country's peace to wound; Yet dreads to handle arms, nor manly counsel knows. V. 3. 'Tis V. 3. 'Tis highest heaven's command, That guilty aims fhould fordid paths pursue ; That what enfnares the heart should curb the hand, And virtue's worthless foes be falfe to glory too. But look on freedom. fee, through every age, What labours, perils, griefs, hath fhe disdain'd! What arms, what regal pride, what priestly rage, Have her dread offspring conquer'd or fuftain'd! For Albion well have conquer'd. Let the strains Of happy fwains, Which now refound Where Scarfdale's cliffs the fwelling paftures bound, Bear witness. there, oft let the farmer hail Of papal fnares and lawless arms, They plann'd for freedom this her aweful reign. This reign, these laws, this public care, Which Naffau gave us all to fhare, Had Had ne'er adorn'd the English name, Could fear have filenc'd freedom's claim. But fear in vain attempts to bind Those lofty efforts of the mind Which focial good inspires; Where men, for this, affault a throne, Each adds the common welfare to his own; And each unconquer'd heart the strength of all acquires. VI. 2. Say, was it thus, when late we view'd Our fields in civil blood imbrued? When fortune crown'd the barbarous hoft, And half the afstonish'd ifle was loft? Did one of all that vaunting train, Durst one in counfels pledge his life? Stake his luxurious fortunes in the ftrife? Or lend his boafted name his vagrant friends to cheer? VI. 3.. Yet, HASTINGS, these are they, Who challenge to themselves thy country's love: The true; the constant: who alone can weigh, But let their works declare them. Thy free powers, The generous powers of thy prevailing mind, Not for the tasks of their confederate hours, Lewd brawls and lurking flander, were defign'd. Ingenuous youth: But, fought from cowards and the lying mouth, For mortals fixeth that fublime award. He, from the faithful records of his throne, Bids the hiftorian and the bard Dispose of honour and of scorn; Discern the patriot from the flave; And write the good, the wife, the brave, For leffons to the multitude unborn. ODE FOR For treafon quell'd and laws fecur'd, In every nation Time displays. May strive: but what, alas! can Those (Though bold, yet blind and fordid foes) To faithful story and persuasive verse? VOL. VI. C I. 2. O |